Aaron Mattix and Tod Tibbetts met up on the West Elk trails for a little snowshoeing on Saturday afternoon. With 2 feet of new snow they decided it’s time to start packing the trails with the snowmobiles. Trail packing will begin Saturday, December 8.

In the meantime, volunteers are busy finishing up maintenance on the snowmobiles and trailers.

The trails need at least 2 feet of snow before we can take the snowmobiles up to begin packing. Takedown fences, rocks, logs, and other natural objects on the trails must be covered completely for the safety of our groomers.

Hwy 819 and Kay’s Loop will be packed first, and then East Cutoff and Zeus’s Cutoff. Next they will pack Eric’s Loop. During the next couple weeks wildlife is still on the move in the back country along Eric’s Loop.

Before they can run the ginzugroomer, sections of Kay’s and Eric’s Loops will need shoveling. We will need volunteers for a couple trail work sessions. Watch this blog for details. To volunteer call Tod Tibbetts at 970-876-2196, or email: wemuc@siltnet.net

Make your donation today!

Voluntary membership fee is $30 per individual and $50 per couple.
The voluntary membership fee is a grooming fee — not a user fee.
Every dollar goes toward the costs of trail maintenance and equipment.
Your donation will help us prepare the equipment so we’re ready for the upcoming ski season.

The Bearcat that pulls the ginzugroomer is in the shop for repairs. Please donate today!

It’s still winter on the West Elk Trails!

In total last week the trails saw 18-24 inches of new snow. Thanks to Eric Boley for bringing up his driftbuster and manual tracker to help Aaron dig out on Friday!

Sunny and low 30s today at the trailhead with a stiff 10-15 mph wind out of the west.

Trail Conditions

The snow is cold, soft, and deep.

Hwy 819
Machine packed, track set

Kay’sLoop
Machine packed, track set

Zeus’s Cutoff
Machine packed, track set

East Cutoff
Machine packed

Eric’s Loop
Machine packed

More snow in the forecast for Monday!

Check out these photos. Even without the ginzugroomer, Aaron and Eric did an amazing job! Thanks guys!

Kay’s Loop

Kay’s Loop

Do you love those those nice groomed back country trails?

Show your love for winter recreation on the West Elk trails!

And help pay for the Bearcat repairs!

Voluntary membership fee is $30 per individual and $50 per couple.
The voluntary membership fee is a grooming fee — not a user fee.
Every dollar goes toward the costs of trail maintenance and equipment.
A small price to pay for groomed trails in the back country.

Lots of shovel work done on Eric’s Loop today.

Thank you Aaron Mattix, and Mary and Marty Gervais!

Shovel work on Eric’s Loop [Photo by Aaron Mattix]

Groomer’s Report from Aaron Mattix

Marty & Mary were welcome help on shoveling Erik’s loop, and getting more lath distributed.

After Marty’s help shoveling out the worst of the off-camber spots, I was able to drag the groomer over Erik’s twice, which leveled out the base nicely. However, the snow is very thin in several spots, so it will take more snowfall before the groomer can make any more laps.

I set track on on 819, Kay’s loop, and some of the meadow sections. As the snow was soft from melting, it set up nicely, and with the freeze tonight, should be some prime skiing Saturday morning.

Cheers,

Aaron

Trail Conditions

Hwy 819
Groomed, track set

Kay’s LoopGroomed, track set

Zeus’s Cutoff
Machine packed

East Cutoff
Tracked snow over machine packed

Eric’s Loop
Groomed

Shovel work and machine packing on Eric’s Loop [Photo by Aaron Mattix]